How to Force a Narcissus

Use containers that are at least three times as deep as the height of the bulbs. Only use containers with drainage holes in the bottom.

Fill the container with potting soil, leaving an inch of space between the top of the soil and the lip of the container for watering.

Plant the bulbs pointed-end up so that the top of the bulb is barely covered with soil. You can place several bulbs in a container. Make sure the bulbs don't touch each other or the sides of the container. Moisten the soil lightly.

Place a light layer of pebbles on top of the soil, if desired. When in full bloom, narcissus plants are top-heavy. The weight of the pebbles helps balance the pot and keep it from tipping over. Extra weight isn't necessary when using a heavy clay, ceramic or metal pot.

Place the container of bulbs in a plastic bag and seal it. Place the bagged pots in the refrigerator for 12 weeks. Mark your calendar so you don't forget.

Take the pot from the refrigerator and remove the bag. Place the pot in the coolest location in your house for one to three weeks. If the location has poor light, leave the pot there for only a week. After three weeks you should see substantial foliage and flower buds.

Move the plant to a warm, sunny window when buds appear. Keep the soil moist but not wet or soggy and feed with a half-strength liquid fertilizer from the time the flowers open until the leaves turn yellow.

Place the pot in an inconspicuous location while the foliage yellows and shrivels. You can save paperwhite bulbs and use them again for forcing. Standard daffodils are best disposed of because the bulbs are spent after forcing. Plant dwarfs and miniatures in the garden where they will recover and bloom again.